Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, dies aged 64

Aug.10, London: Billionaire Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who was once Britain’s wealthiest landowner, died at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire this afternoon, accoriding to his estate. He was 64.

Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor died at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire on Tuesday. He had suddenly become ill on his Abbeystead Estate, a spokesman added. Duke Grosvenor, who is Prince William’s godfather, owns swathes of land in London, mostly in London’s plush Belgravia and Mayfair.

He was one of the UK's richest landowners, with a fortune estimated at $10.8bn (£8.3bn) by Forbes magazine. That would make him the world's 68th richest person and the UK's third.

Giving news of the duke's death, a spokeswoman said: "His family are all aware and they ask for privacy and understanding at this very difficult time.

"No further comment will be made for the time being but further information will follow in due course."